Single-sex toilets will become mandatory in all restaurants and offices across England, it was reported last night.
The government has announced that the measure will be rolled out in new offices, restaurants, bars and shopping centers due to an increase in the number of gender-neutral facilities being used.
Existing businesses could become entangled by the new rules.
Lee Rowley, the Housing Secretary, said the government wants to ensure “that male and female toilets, which provide privacy, decency and space for both sexes, are not abandoned for alternatives that may not provide that – and that the whole process of using it is even more inefficient.”
The new policy would also encourage buildings to consider a self-contained universal toilet, as opposed to male or female toilet blocks.
These would include a toilet, sink and hand drying facilities for individual use.
Minister for Women and Equality Kemi Badenoch said: “These regulations will guide organizations in the design of unisex and single-sex toilets, putting an end to the rise of so-called “gender neutral” mixed toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women . women.
“Today's announcement will also create better facilities for women so that our specific biological, health and sanitary needs are met.
“This follows our work last week to restrict the use of mixed wards in the NHS and shows how this Government is committed to ensuring single-sex spaces are protected for all.”